50 Photos Of The Royal Family On Vacation Through The Years
Even the royal family needs some R&R from time to time. Safaris in the valleys of Africa, skiing in the Alps, catching waves off islands in the Caribbean—royals know how to take advantage of their vacation days. According to ABC News, members of the royal family worked an average of 85 days in 2019, which is about one-third of the 253 days that normal citizens of the U.K. work. (Fun fact: For the third year in a row, Princess Anne is the hardest working royal, working a total of 167 days out of the 365 calendar year.) As for this past year, the family worked 761 days in total. That's not even including all the off-the-record engagements they may have had to take for personal reasons. So when they really need to get away, the royals go all out. From lavish trips to Spain to the Bahamas, feast your eyes on just a few of the Windsor's most envy-inducing vacations, ahead.
Cape Town, South Africa
The Sussex's first trip as a family (although, sadly, Archie didn't make an appearance) was to Africa for a 10-day trip. Here, the new parents sit down to snack on Cape Malay koesisters, which is a local pastry in the area that's similar to a donut.
Havana, Cuba
The sun-filled trip taken by Prince Charles and Camilla was the first time members of the British royal family made an official visit to the country of Cuba. Obviously, the only way to cruise in Cuba is in a convertible-like car.
Ngare Ndare Valley
In 1971, Prince Charles went on a four-day safari through the Ngare Ndare Valley in Kenya. If only smartphones were around then...because I bet the photos would've been amazing.
Blatchford Lake, Canada
It was the first vacation for Prince William and Kate as newlyweds, and the photos did not disappoint. The couple went on a canoe ride together, learned about leather making, and had this cute moment.
Nevis Island
Nevis is said to be Princess Diana's favorite island. Here, in 1993, she and nine-year-old Harry caught some massive waves. It's said they stayed at the 19-room Montpelier Plantation & Beach.
Queensland, Austriala
After graduating from Eton and before joining the army, Prince Harry worked on a remote cattle station in Queensland. We have to say, the outback attire really suits him.
Treetops Hotel in Kenya
The iconic lodging site is known to hardcore royal fans as the place where Princess Elizabeth became Queen. She and Prince Philip were visiting when news broke that her father, George VI, had died.
Nassau, Bahamas
In this photo, taken in 1967, Princess Margaret and husband Antony Armstrong-Jones are enjoying the teal blue waters of the Bahamas, a favorite destination of the princess.
Malta
Then-Princess Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, celebrated their honeymoon in Malta. However, it was a double-duty trip. Prince Philip was stationed there while in active duty in the Navy, and the couple lived in Villa Guardamangia in Valletta for two years.
Necker Island
The Caribbean was a favorite vacation spot for Princess Diana and the boys, spotted here in 1990 on entrepreneur Richard Branson's private island. The exclusive invite has also been extended to President Barack Obama and Kate Winslet.
Klosters, Switzerland
It's no secret that the royals love this Alpine resort village that's huge with celebrities, and they've gone there multiple times. Here, a young Prince William and Prince Harry join their father for a ski trip.
Lech, Austria
Check out Prince Harry and Prince William's eyewear! Here, they're on a ski trip with their mother to Austria, which was Diana's preferred ski spot, rather than Charles' favorite, Klosters in Switzerland. Sadly, a friend of the royal family died in an avalanche that nearly caught Prince Charles in its way, and Diana refused to return to Klosters.
Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle is likely the most iconic of the royal vacation destination spots, and for good reason. It's a longtime favorite for the Windsors, with the Queen and the rest of the family spending their August and September holidays there.
The French Alps
In 2016, Prince William and Kate Middleton went on their first vacation as a family of four with a then-three-year-old Prince George and a nearly one-year-old Princess Charlotte. A little pre-Easter vacation never hurt anyone!
Klosters, Switzerland
In 1995, the future Duke of Sussex and Duke of Cambridge were joined by their cousins Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice in the Alps. The royals love their ski trips, so it's no surprise to see the entire gang together in Switzerland.
Athens, Greece
Looking fabulous while visiting the Acropolis is the defintion of #vacationgoals. Princess Margaret and her husband made it look easy. They visited the country on holiday in September 1963.
Mallorca, Spain
Who doesn't love a royal crossover? For the summers of 1987 (pictured here), 1988, and 1990, the royal family spent their vacation time with King Juan Carlos of Spain, Queen Sofia, and their family, including son Prince Felipe, who is now the reigning monarch.
British Virgin Islands
In October 1977, the Queen made a royal trip to the British Virgin Islands, where she had a chance to tour a market. Of course she went straight for the mangos, which are notoriously a favorite food of Her Majesty—she even travels with Bilawal House mangos.
Mustique, West Indies
Mustique was Princess Margaret's favorite vacation destination, and the Queen came to visit her there in 1977 after her Silver Jubilee Tour of the West Indies. It's now a favorite vacation spot for William and Kate.
Klosters, Switzerland
Prince William and Prince Harry regularly made trips to Switzerland for ski trips during their childhood, so it's no surprise that in 2008 William brought then-girlfriend Kate to join him on a winter retreat. Ah, young love.
Bianca Rodriguez is the Fashion & Luxury Commerce Manager at Hearst Magazines, covering fashion, beauty, and more for Cosmopolitan, Elle, Esquire, Harper’s BAZAAR, and Town & Country. She likes lounging about with a good book and thinks a closet without platform sneakers is a travesty.
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